Chapter 12

After parting ways with Lucy, Emory made his way to Lunar Ventures.

Located in the heart of Goldspire City, Lunar Ventures occupied hundreds of acres and boasted a seventy-story office tower, a landmark in the city skyline.

Standing outside the towering building was a middle-aged man in a crisp white suit, a Rolex glinting on his wrist. He waited with practiced politeness, posture straight, eyes scanning the entrance.

As soon as he spotted Emory approaching, he stepped forward eagerly. "Mr. Emory Belen?"

"That's me," Emory replied with a nod.

"Please, come in. Master Robert has instructed us—starting today, you're the new Chairman of Lunar Ventures." The man's voice was respectful, almost reverent.

He introduced himself as Bobby Cowell, then led Emory straight to the chairman's office and handed him a thick folder. "Mr. Emory, this contains information on all our current assets and projects under Lunar Ventures."

He produced a business card next. "And from now on, I'll be your personal assistant. My phone's on twenty-four seven. Anything you need—"

Emory cut him off, his tone calm but cool. "I understand. You may go."

Once Bobby left, Emory took a few minutes to familiarize himself with the new environment. Then he planned to head home and let Helen know he'd found a job.

But just as he stepped out of the office building, someone crossed his path. Someone tall, flashy, and snobby.

Lillian—Scarlet's friend—was strutting toward him in heels that clicked like gunfire against marble. She eyed him with a venomous smirk.

"Well, if it isn't the country bumpkin," she sneered. "What's wrong? Done hunting rabbits in the mountains? What business do you have at Lunar Ventures?"

Emory's expression didn't waver. "I'm here to work. Problem?"

Lillian blinked, then burst out laughing. "Work? You? Emory, are you trying to kill me with laughter? You think Lunar Ventures is some local charity shelter?"

She stepped closer, practically bouncing with derision. "Let me tell you something—Lunar Ventures is one of the top four VC companies in the entire Vermillion Delta. Even the janitors here have Ivy League degrees. And you? A backwater peasant? You think you can work here? You must be dreaming."

She tossed her empty Starbucks cup at his feet with a flick of her wrist. "Tell you what, since Scarlet dumped you so publicly, I'll do you a favor. Pick that cup up and maybe sell it for spare change. Someone like you is only good for sweeping streets and digging through garbage."

Emory's eyes chilled. "Lillian, what have I ever done to you? Why do you feel the need to humiliate me?"

"Oh, I'm humiliating you because you deserve it." Her voice rose, shrill and sharp. "You're a pitiful little ugly duckling pretending to be a swan. A nobody from the mountains, thinking you could ever be good enough for someone like Scarlet? Don't make me laugh."

Emory's voice came low and steady. "Whether I'm good enough or not isn't for you to decide. The engagement was arranged by Scarlet's grandfather. I honored that. And starting tomorrow, Lillian—you no longer work at Lunar Ventures. This company doesn't need women like you, who look down on others and judge them by appearances."

Lillian froze. Then she let out a scoff. "Emory, are you role-playing again? Who do you think you are to fire me? The chairman?"

She laughed, full of disdain. "If you were really so powerful, why would Scarlet turn you down? You think you can fool me with that tough guy act? Please—you're just a peasant playing pretend."

Just as she was speaking, Bobby approached from a distance.

"Mr. Bobby!"

The sarcasm and arrogance vanished from Lillian's face the moment she saw him. She quickly stepped forward, her expression softening as she playfully twirled a strand of hair. "Mr. Bobby, are you free tonight? I know this great little bar…"

As she spoke, she edged closer to him, her body pressing against his arm.

But Bobby gently pushed her away and asked, genuinely curious, "Lillian, you know Mr. Emory?"

"Yes, I know him." Lillian responded breezily. "He's just some bumpkin from—"

She didn't get to finish.

Bobby smiled. "Lillian, you've done pretty well at Lunar Ventures lately. I was thinking of promoting you to HR manager. How do you feel about that?"

"Really?" Her eyes lit up instantly.

HR manager—one of the core leadership positions in the company. No joke.

After today, she'd be on an entirely new level. Even Scarlet would have to look up to her.

"A gentleman never goes back on his word," Bobby said. "Go see Claymon later and complete the paperwork."

The promotion wasn't for Lillian's sake, of course. It was because of Emory.

After all, Emory was the newly appointed chairman, appointed by Robert himself. If Bobby could win Emory's favor, perhaps one day, he might find himself tied to the powerful Caison family. That would be the real jackpot.

"Thank you, Mr. Bobby! Thank you so much! I promise I'll work hard and live up to your expectations."

Then, she turned, cocking a brow at Emory with renewed disdain.

"Emory, why are you still hanging around here like a stray? Didn't I tell you to get lost? I'm the HR manager now. If I don't give the green light, no one at Lunar Ventures will hire you. You're better off picking up trash somewhere!"

The words had barely left her mouth when Bobby froze.

Before he could say anything, Emory's voice cut through the air, cold and low. "Bobby, what are you doing? I was just about to fire Lillian, and now you're promoting her? Are you trying to challenge me?"

"N-no, Sir, no! It's a misunderstanding. I thought she was a friend of yours!"

With a thud, Bobby dropped to his knees, panic taking over. He slapped Lillian across the face. "You little bitch! How dare you call Chairman Emory a stray and tell him to get lost? Who the hell do you think you are?!"

Then he barked to the side, "Guards, get over here! Wipe that filthy mouth of hers clean. How dare she insult our chairman?!"

The command barely left his lips before a group of security guards rushed over.

Without hesitation, they raised their hands.

Smack! Smack!

Lillian's mouth filled with blood. She stared, dazed. "M-Mr. Bobby… did you say Emory is the chairman of Lunar Ventures?"

Her pupils constricted. She couldn't believe what she was hearing.

Emory? That backwater nobody? He was the chairman?

"Are you fucking deaf?" Bobby roared. "If Mr. Emory isn't the chairman, then who is? You?"

He kicked her hard in the stomach, sending her to the ground.

"Get this narrow-minded fool out of my sight. If she ever dares set foot in Lunar again, I'll make sure none of you live it down."

"No—please! Mr. Bobby, I'm begging you, don't fire me! I can't lose this job!"

She clung to Bobby's leg, sobbing.

But he didn't even glance at her.

Desperate, Lillian turned to Emory, her voice trembling. "Mr. Emory… I was wrong. I shouldn't have humiliated you. Please, I'm begging you. Don't fire me. Without this job, I'm as good as dead. My father… he crossed the wrong people years ago. The only reason they haven't come after us is because they're afraid of Lunar Ventures…"

Emory's face was stone. "Lillian, that sounds like a 'you' problem. Whatever happens to you now—you brought it on yourself."

"No! No, I didn't mean to—I just got carried away!" she pleaded. "Mr. Emory, please, if you forgive me just this once, I'll do anything… I—I'm good, really. I'll be good. I can stay with you tonight if you want. My figure… my legs—"

Crack!

Another vicious kick from Bobby landed squarely in her ribs. "Filthy tramp! You think you're good enough for the chairman? Have you looked into a mirror? You think a man like him has to stoop to your level? He could have any woman he wants in Vermillion Delta!"

"I… I…"

Tears spilled down her face as she crawled on the floor.

"I'm really sorry. I'll never judge people like that again. I'll clean toilets if you let me stay. I'll—"

"Get her out!" Bobby barked.

He didn't even bother looking at her.

As the guards dragged her toward the exit, Lillian let out a wail of despair.

"No! I don't want to leave!"

Then her voice turned to a screech, raw with hatred.

"Scarlet! You lying bitch! You told me Emory wasn't good enough for you—but he's the chairman of Lunar Ventures! I hate you! You ruined my life, you wretched woman!"